Enews Feb 2017

CIF supports community projects that enhance the quality of life for children, youth, and adults of all ages. Projects may involve early childhood development, youth programming, volunteer leadership, physical activity, Aboriginal inclusion, and community celebrations.

Next Application Deadline: April 1, 2017

Thinking of applying to our Community Grant Program? The next deadline is midnight April 1. Please refer to the *updated* guidelines before applying.

Community Grant Program: Community grants that enhance the health and wellbeing of Saskatchewan's children, youth and families. Annual Deadlines: April 1 & October 1.Summer Grant: Support activities for children and youth that occur between May 1 & August 31. The types of projects typically supported include summer camps and day programming during the summer months that offer positive recreation, arts, culture and learning opportunities. Annual Deadline: February 1.

CIF Feature Story: Healthy Start / Départ Santé (HSDS)

Healthy Start / Départ Santé (HSDS) is a bilingual health promotion initiative that increases healthy eating and physical activity opportunities in early years settings. This is done by providing directors, educators, teachers and cooks with in-person training sessions, resources and continual support. HSDS is one of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Innovation Strategy: Achieving Healthy Weights projects and it is led by the Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan.

HSDS targets children ages 3 to 5 years old in early learning settings. To date, HSDS has trained over 250 sites in Saskatchewan and another 24 in New Brunswick. This initiative is available to everyone, but a concerted effort has been made to reach Indigenous, newcomer and underserved populations.

Resources & Events:

Accelerating Community Change with Collective Impact WorkshopJoin internationally recognized trainer and community builder, Liz Weaver, in Regina, Saskatchewan on March 15, 2017 for a workshop that dives into the collective impact approach and how you can use it to enhance the impact of community change efforts. Click here.

Win up to $500 in Team-Based Professional Development Community Foundations of Canada is on the lookout for stories of nonprofit HR innovation in Canada. Got a great example of HR innovation happening at your nonprofit? Share your story for a chance to win up to $500 in team-based professional development for your organization. Click here.

Overseeing the Annual Budget Preparation Resource from SARCThis blog focuses on some of the key questions non-profit Boards can consider while overseeing the annual budget preparation. It also includes a helpful resource from SARC's ELEVATE program that Directors can download and utilize throughout the budget planning process. Click here.

Partnerships Resource from SaskCulturePartnerships are integral to the nonprofit sector for many reasons. They enable organizations to do more than they could alone, they can stimulate more diverse and innovative thinking, and they can expand audience reach. For information on the different types of partnerships, the characteristics of a positive partnership, and the steps to create effective partnerships visit the SaskCulture website. Click here.

Canada 150 WebsiteStay up-to-date on the most recent developments and exciting projects taking place across Canada by checking the Canada 150 webpage regularly. Click here.

Saskatchewan Library Association Marks 75th AnniversaryThe Saskatchewan Library Association will celebrate its 75th anniversary by launching the One Book, One Province initiative in March. The project aims to increase literacy and create a reading culture by providing opportunities for residents to become more socially engaged in their community. Click here.

Heritage Day 2017The National Trust for Canada is pleased to announce the theme "My Canada!" for Heritage Day 2017. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, "My Canada!" is designed to inspire Canadians to embrace, explore and enjoy their own heritage places and spaces across the country. Celebrate your Canada during Heritage Week, February 20-26, 2017. Click here.

Other Funding Sources:

ParticipACTION 150 Play List Community Grant (Deadlines: Feb 8, Apr 24, Aug 21)Register your event or program to be eligible to get a 150 Play List Event Celebration Kit (while supplies last) and take advantage of their downloadable toolkits to help promote your activity. Community micro-grants are also available to support not for profit community organizations, schools and municipalities who are planning to deliver 150 Play List programs and events in 2017. Click here.

Community Cultural Engagement and Planning Grant (Deadline: Feb 15, 2017)SaskCulture’s Community Cultural Engagement and Planning grant aims to support Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nations Bands to explore and plan for the creative and cultural potential of a community. Click here.

Friendly Action Grants (Continuous, No Deadline)EcoFriendly Sask provides small grants, usually $500, to support local projects that will improve the environment. Projects should reduce or prevent damage to the natural environment.Click here.

Updated CIF Guidelines -Effective Immediately

If you are applying for CIF’s Community Grant Program this April 1, 2017, you must follow the updated guidelines. CIF’s guidelines have been updated to improve clarity on what is eligible under CIF’s Community Grant Program. Before completing your grant application, you are strongly encouraged to read the updated guidelines to ensure your expenses are eligible.

Changes to eligibilities include:

Honorariums are ineligible, except for those paid to Aboriginal Elders to a maximum of $150/day and elder helpers to a maximum of $50/day. Tobacco may be part of the Elder honorarium, but the total cost of the honorarium and tobacco may not exceed $150/day.

Equipment, furniture, and other purchases previously ineligible may be eligible if directly related to the delivery of the project.

CIF provides a Sample Application based on a successful Community Grant Program application. It is designed to assist you in the application process by providing an example of what we are looking for in an application. Find the updated Sample Application here.

We’d like to hear from you, too! Sign-up to receive CIF’s e-news, program updates and application reminders. Be sure to look out for us on Facebook & Twitter!

Saskatchewan’s Community Initiatives Fund is a Special Purpose Fund created through The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act & is accountable to the Ministry of Parks, Culture & Sport. Our programs are funded through a portion of the Regina & Moose Jaw casino profits.

PRIVACY POLICY: This Privacy Policy demonstrates our commitment to your privacy and the security and protection of your contact information. The CIF will not share or sell your contact information without your permission or unless ordered by a court of law. Our records indicate you have registered with the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) or you have applied for a program grant through the CIF. Unsubscribe here.